Betting on MMA fights can be a profitable way to make money online. However, it is important to understand the sport and the odds. There are several types of MMA bets, including moneyline/match bets, over/under bets on the number of rounds a fight will last, and parlays.
Moneyline/match bets are the most common type of MMA wager and are similar to football or basketball match bets. These are simple bets that simply pick one fighter to win over the other. Over/Under bets on MMA are more complicated as they are based on the total number of rounds a fight will last.
Understanding the odds and public perception
When betting on MMA matches, it is important to know how the odds are determined. In general, sportsbooks and oddsmakers aim to create an even money bet on both sides of the betting line, but this can be difficult to achieve if there is a lot of public sentiment against a certain side.
In MMA, the winning fighter is usually given a knockout, submission, or judge decision (score) victory. These bets are known as method-of-victory bets and can be a fun way to add excitement to a MMA betting experience.
Taking a look at the history of each fighter before placing a bet can also help you to make more informed decisions. Oftentimes, fighters with a lot of wins are battling elite-level competition while those with fewer victories have fought against lower-tier opponents.
The style of the fighters competing can also be a factor in handicapping a matchup. For example, orthodox fighters have a greater chance of beating southpaw or left-handed fighters. This is because orthodox fighters are used to defending their right hand.
Other factors to consider when analyzing the odds are divisional ranking and physical attributes of both fighters. The heavier a fighter is, the more powerful they are likely to be.
Another consideration is the age of both fighters. Those in their late 30s and early 40s tend to be slower and less agile than younger fighters.
A few other things to keep an eye on are a fighter’s record and whether they have won their past four bouts by first-round knockout. A fighter who has won four straight by KO is probably in good shape and will be more confident heading into a big fight.
MMA is an exciting, fast-paced sport that attracts a lot of attention and can be profitable to bet on. MMA is becoming more popular than ever before and has the potential to bring in a lot of revenue for sportsbooks. The best place to bet on MMA is with a legal, regulated sportsbook that is in your home state and not an offshore company.